Mergül Çolak

Physical Activity Levels and Type 2 Diabetes Risk Scores of University Students

Abstract The present study is to reveal physical activity levels and type 2 diabetes risk scores of university students in accordance with gender differences and determine the relation between physical activities and type 2 diabetes scores. One thousand ninety three students studying at Erzincan University (540 female and 553 male) participated in the study. A short form of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire and Finnish Diabetes Risk Score Questionnaire were used to determine physical activity scores and type 2 diabetes risk scores of the students. For analysis of the data, an independent t-test, one-way analysis of variance test and Pearson correlation analysis were used. Diabetes risk scores of women were found to be higher than men (p<0.01). Diabetes risk scores of men have a negative relation with all physical activity sub-categories, but for women it was found only in terms of vigor and total activity levels (p<0.01). It can be concluded that the association between diabetes risk scores and physical activity levels of male students was stronger than that of female students. Thus, increasing physical activity may reduce the diabetes risk score in university students.

Some Acute Physiological Responses of Nature Walkers to Different Altitudes

Abstract The aim of this study was to determine acute physiological responses of nature walkers such as, systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), heart rate (HR) and blood lactate (BLA) levels at different altitudes. 25 nature walkers voluntarily participated in the study. SBP, DBP, HR and BLA values of the subjects were measured in Erzincan (1,185 m), at the campsites of Kesis Mountain (2,800 m) and at the summit of Esence (3,549 m). The Bonferroni method, multivariate and test of Within-Subject Effect parametric tests were used in terms of a variance-covariance matrix. No statistically significant difference was found in SBP and DBP values (p>0,05).The summit BLA and HRvalues were found significantly higher (p<0.01) than lactate and HR values at the campsite and in Erzincan, the campsite values were found importantly higher than those in Erzincan (p<0.05, p<0.01 respectively).In conclusion, it was found that acute exposure to different altitudes causes an increase in HR and BLA, but did not make a significant impact on SBP and DBP.

A study on some motoric and anthropometric attributes of competitive and non - competitive taekwondo athletes between the age group 9 - 12 years

Aim: The aim of this study is to examine some motoric and antrophometric attributes of competitive and non-competitive taekwondo athletes within the age group 9-12 years and to determine the difference between those two groups. Material and method: 31 competitive and 29 non-competitive licensed taekwondo athletes voluntarily participated in the study. The average ages, heights and weight of competitive and non-competitive athletes were 11,16±,93 year, 150,58±17,14 cm and 43,80± 13,97 kg, 9,62±,82 year, 137,31±8,80 cm and 35,24±8,28 kg respectively. Both groups have been practising regularly taekwondo for 2,5 years, 2 days a week and two hours a day. Flamingo balance test, test of disk touching, sit and reach flexibility test, long jump while standing still, 30 sec sit-up test, bent arm pull-up test and 10x5m push up run, right and left hand grip strength test and 20 m shuttle run of the Eurofit test battery were used. Body fat percent, body fat mass, fat free mass, body mass index values were measured. Such antrophometric attributes as hand length, calf and femur circumference, arm length, biceps circumference in flexion, arm span length were measured. Results: Results of statistical analyses showed a significant difference between two groups in terms of motoric scores (p<0,01, p<0,001), antrophometric characteristics ( p<0,01, p<0,001), and fat free mass ( p<0,001 ) in favor of the competitive group. Conclusion: Compared with the non-competitive group, significant differences in competitive group can be explained by their active participation in competitions.